Mail-chute.



P. E. ANDERSON.

MAIL OHUTE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 22, 1906.

971E159 Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

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P. E. ANDERSON. MAIL GHUT E.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 22, 1908.

Patented Sept. 27, 19-10.

UNTTED %TATE% PATENT FRANK E. ANDERSON, OF NEVT YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO CUTLER MAIL CHUTE COM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MAIL-CHUTE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Chutes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mail chutes designed to receive mail matter at different floors of a building and transmit it, under the influence of gravity, 'to a receptacle on a lower floor, from which the collector removes the mail at stated intervals.

The object of my invention is to provide a mail chute of simple and inexpensive construction, wherein the downward path for the mail matter will be smooth and free from rivets.

A further object is to provide a pocket or detention passage at each receptacle for the mail, to detain immediately below each mailing aperture, any mail matter which should not be allowed to pass into the chute proper.

A further object is to provide inclosing bands securing the chute in position, which shall be readily released by an operator when necessary.

A further object is the provision of a closing device for each mailing aperture, whereby all, or any one, of the mailing apertures may be closed by the proper authorities and users notified to that effect.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front View of a portion of my improved mail chute, the same being broken away at the top and bottom and showing a mailing aperture with the closing device in place. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same 011 the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. i is a horizontal sectional view on the line 1- 1- of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of an inclosing band embodying a mailing --aperture. Fig. 6 is a front view of a mailing aperture, closing device in position. Fig. 7 is a side view of an inclosing band embody ing a mailing aperture, the view being taken from left to right in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a similar view taken from right to left in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a detailed view illustrating the Specification of Letters Patent.

I Application filed June 22, 1906.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

Serial No. 322,809.

[ flange which supports the metal sheet which forms the rear of the detention pocket at each mailing aperture. Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of a front corner of my chute, the section being taken away where the chute passes through a floor of the building, where the glass front is removed. Fig. 11 is a similar sectional view of a modification of the construction illustrated in Fig. 10.

In the drawings, 1 is the mail chute, having the metal back 2 and sides 3, which are made in sections, telescoping slightly, as illustrated in Fig. 2, 'the upper section entering slightly within the lower so that no ledge or crack may obstruct the mail. The metal front 4; of the chute is formed with vertical strips 5 at each side and connecting strips 6,

forming any suitable design across the front of the glass? which is sustained by the ledge 8 (Fig. 2), which protrudes inwardly from the front 1 slightly so as not to extend into the chute the entire width of the glass 7, that mail matter may find no lodging place. Secured to the front 1 along the vertical sides 5 thereof, are cornices or flanges 9, so secured to the frontelas to be virtually integral therewith, and being formed of spring metal adapted to contact with the sides 3 and impel them inwardly 'to contact with vertical ledges 10 on each side of the glass 7, formed by rabbeting a step at each side along its length.

The sections of the chute are held together and in place along the wall of the building by inclosing bands 11. The only inclosing band shown in the drawings is formed with a mailing aperture 12 in a forward extension where the chute widens. The inclosing band 11 is formed (Fig. with a back 13 adapted to be secured to the wall and sides 14, from one of which protrudes staple 15, adapted to be engaged by a slot in plate 16, which is hinged at 17 to the front 18 of the inclosing band. The front 18 is itself hinged at 19 to a side 1 1 of the inclosing band. A plate 20, having the rear 21 and sides 22, is positioned just below each mailing aperture 12 and extends downward parallel with the front of the chute to form a detention pocket 23 alongside the passage for the mail dropping from above. The plate 20 might be held in position by friction, but additional security is given by the outwardly extending flanges 24 (Fig. 9), which protrude from the top of the sides 22 and engage the top of the sides 3 of the chute.

The mail aperture closing device consists of a casting 25, having an outwardly extendanyone who understands its operation. hen

ing base 26, from which extends the lug 27, beveled at to engage the edge of the mailing aperture. From the other side of the base 26 extend two lugs 29, through which extends the pin 30, provided with a head 31 and the spring 32. adapted to force said pin 30 upward. At the right-hand edge of the mailing aperture 12 (Fig. 6), is a down- *ar'dly protruding lug fiush with the edge of the aperture and adapted to be engaged by the pin 30, whose spring 32 forces the entire closing device to the left (Fig. 6), where it is retained fixedly in position by the beveled projection 28.

\Vhere the chute passes through the floors of a building, it is unnecessary to provide glass plates at the front. At the floor, therefore, the front l is a continuous sheet, having its ends turned inwardly at right angles (as best illustrated in Fig. 10). The spring cornice or flange 9 presses each side 3 into contact with the flange 33 so as to provide a tight joint. Fig. 11 illustrates a modification of the front and its juncture with a side. The cornice 9 is omitted and the front 4 provided with two inwardly projecting fianges 34: between which the side 3 is received and held, providing a close joint within the chute.

It will be observed that the present device holds the glass plates of the front in position without the use of screws, rivets or similar devices liable to project into the chute when out of adjustment. The resiliency of the cornices 9 holds the sides in close contact with the edges of the glass, which is retained in close contact with the metal front as illustrated in Figs. 3 and t. The plate 20 is likewise held firmly in position throughout its length without the use of rivets or similar fastening devices so as to afford a firm, non-yielding back and detention pocket immediately beneath the mailing aperture. By this construction I provide a long detention pocket, the rear wall of which is not liable to be misplaced and forced into the path of mail matter passing downward from an upper fioor.

The padlock, illustrated in Fig. 1, allows an authorized person to dismantle the chute or obtain access to its interior. hen an inclosing band 11 is closed and locked it holds the parts of the chute firmly in position, forcing inwardly the various parts forming the front of the chute until close contact is made and maintained with the sides of the chute. The inclosing band 11 is readily released by unlocking the padlock and swinging outwardly on its hinge 17 the plate 16.

When the plate 16 is free from the staple 15, the entire front of the inclosing band may be turned outwardly upon its hinge 19, giving access to the front of the chute. The mailing aperture closing device may, of course. be placed in position or removed by in position, however, it will display on its face a notice to the effect that the chute is Closed by order of Post Ofiice Department. To remove the closing device, it must be firmly grasped and shoved to the right against the resiliency of the powerful spring 32 and then lifted bodily from the aperture. A person unfamiliar with the device would consider it locked in position if he tried to remove it. I provide a closing device for each mail aperture in the chute and plan to store the same in a receptacle to which only authorized persons have access. If the entire chute is out of order and should be put out of commission, the operator will place in each mailing aperture a closing device; but if, for instance, only the upper portions of the chute are out of order, the operator will close only such mail apertures as he desires.

Where the chute passes through a fioor and glass is unnecessary, the problem of construction is simplified. The location and shape of the parts (illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11) provide a sufficiently strong structure and a tight joint between the front and sides.

Inasmuch as mail chutes are commonly constructed in an oblong shape so that descending mail matter is retained in a position substantially parallel with the front of the chute, it is important to have the oints between the front of the chute and the sides open or extend in the direction of the shorter dimension of the chute to obviate the danger of having the edges of the mail matter :atch in the joints. According to my invention, the junctures or joints between the glass front 7 and the sides 3 are formed as described. As no screws, rivets or similar devices project within my chute, and as the joints are properly made as to direction, liability of clogging is absolutely obviated.

To assemble and install my chute, the rabbeted glass plate first slipped into position along each metallic front 4 until it rests upon a ledge 8. The glass will be retained by the side flanges 9 so that the entire section of the front, consisting of the glass 7, the metal front a and the flanges 9, handled as one piece, may be positioned against the sides 3, as indicated in Fig. 3.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mail chute, a front having a glass plate supported upon a narrow ledge, an open lattice sheet outside said glass and spring fianges secured to the sides of said lattice sheet adapted to contact with the sides of the chute and press them against said glass.

2. In a mail chute, a glass plate for the front rabbetcd to receive the forward ends of the sides of the chute.

3. In a mail chute, a glass plate for the front and a cornice at each end thereof adapted by its resiliency to hold the sides of the chute in contact with an abutting side edge of said glass.

In a mail chute, a front composed of four members, namely, a glass plate, a metallic latticed sheet and at each side a cornice secured to said latticed sheet and extending reaiwvardly to contact with the sides of the chute.

5. In a mail chute, a glass plate for the front and a latticed sheet to protect the same, having an inwardly extending ledge to support said glass.

6. In a mail chute, a front metallic sheet provided with openings, a glass front upheld thereon and spring flanges at each side contacting with the sides of the chute.

T. In a mail chute, a downwardly extending plate immediately below a mailing a ')erture, having sides contacting with the sides -of the chute and outwardly extending flanges.

8. In a mail chute, an inclosing band having sides and a back adapted to be secured to the wall or other support, and a front member hinged to one side and carrying a hinged wing adapted to engage a fixed portion of the inclosing band to retain the parts in locked position.

9. In a mail chute, a mail-aperture closing device having a downwardly extending lug at one side adapted to engage the mailaperture, at the other end a spring device adapted to enter the mail-aperture and be concealed therein to retain said lug in engagement, and an upper vertical plate to be U grasped by the operator for inserting or removing the device.

10. In a mail chute, an exposed front glass plate, cornices contacting with the lateral edges of said plate, and a metallic connection across the front joined to said cornices and so constructed as to hold said cornices against the lateral edge of the glass.

11. In a mail chute, a front glass plate with narrowed lateral edges positioned between two retaining cornices which are held together by a metallic connection outside the glass, said cornice overlapping and contacting with the sides of the chute.

12. In a mail chute, a front glass plate, narrowed at the retaining points to countersink the metallic members which retain the same in position.

13. In a mail chute having an interior wider than its depth, a. front glass plate so positioned as to present a plane surface within the chute without projections or exposed fastening devices and having the jointshetween said plate and the sides extending in the direction of the shorter dimension of the chute.

14. In a mail chute, a cornice at each of the two front corners so constructed that a front glass plate, wider than the interior of the chute, may be held positioned between grooves in each cornice.

15. In a mail chute, a mail-aperture closing device having at one end a spring member, at the other end a lug beveled where it engages the edge of the mail-aperture, and an upper vertical plate apparently purposed merely to display an official notice, but actually adapted to be grasped by the operator for inserting or removing the device.

16. In a mail chute, a mail-aperture closing device having projections extending into said aperture, a spring member adapted to removably retain said closing device in posi tion at a mail-aperture, and an upper vertical plate displaying an ofiicial notice of closure, by means of which plate the device may be inserted or withdrawn.

17. In a mail chute, an inclosing band having a fixed back and sides and a front member hinged to one side and formed with a step in which is located a mailing aperture for the insertion of mail.

18. In a mail chute, a rearwardly extending flange at each side of the front, contacting with a front glass plate and connected by an open lattice member extending across the front of said glass.

19. In a mail chute having a four-sided interior, a front glass plate with its lateral edges narrowed and so positioned as to present a plane surface within the chute without projections.

20. Means for locking a mail chute from unauthorized removal, embodying a support having a lock receiving device, a detachable member adapted to cooperate with a portion of the chute, and a lock adapted to be applied to the lock-receiving device of the support to secure the said member from removal.

21. The combination with a mail chute, of a support having a staple secured thereto, a member adapted to secure a. part of the chute in position, and a lock cooperating with said staple and member to prevent unauthorized removal of the latter.

22. The combination with a mail chute, of a support having a staple, a member adapted to secure a part of the chute, having detachable connections with the support and adapted to accommodate the staple, and a lock cooperating with the staple for preventing unauthorized removal of said member.

23. The combination with a mail chute. of a support having a staple thereon, a memher detuchubly secured at one end to said support and formed to accommodate said staple, said member being adapted to retain a part of the chute in position, and a lock cooperating; with said staple for preventing unauthorized removal of said member.

New York and State of New York this 19th day of June A. D. 1906.

FRANK E. ANDERSON.

\Vitnesses JOSEPH A. STETSON, MINNIE :KAUFFMAN. 

